Join us this February in Newcastle for the 2020 edition of our alternative, practical workshop to trading with China. You’ll gain new insights and learn the practical side of recent market trends, new policies and regulatory changes, the current and upcoming opportunities, as well as information on the available support.

This event is organised by ACOLINK — Your partner for success in China, in association with NatWest, the Department for International Trade (DIT), and Exporting is GREAT programme.

This event is aiming at helping your business boost its international sales strategy and potential, and get trading with confidence. Our invigorating #LetsDoChina campaign, launched in 2018, is a refreshing take on the path to China, whether you’re a prospective/passive exporter, a business that is already actively trading in China, or a start-up. We bringing together private and public sector perspectives to equip you with the essentials that matter to your business and your international sales strategy.

There will be also an opportunity to hold 1-2-1 meetings with advisers from NatWest, DIT and ACOLINK.

Date, Location & Registration

• Newcastle upon Tyne
  One Trinity Gardens (NE1)
  (Thu 27th February, 09:30 – 14:00)
  To register, please book your place through EventBrite

Please arrive from 9:30 for a prompt start at 10:00.

We look forward to you joining us!

What you’ll learn

At the event we’ll be sharing our experience, and be on hand to help you understand:

1. What is the available support for businesses that trade internationally?
2. What are the latest insights on China trade policies, customs & regulations?
3. China continues opening up wider for business, but what does it really mean (particularly during the post-Brexit transition phase and beyond)?
4. What are the practical steps to consider when entering the Chinese market?
5. What aspects do you need to consider to develop and sustain a fruitful long-term relationship?
6. Why the synergy between online (e-commerce) & offline is crucial in China, regardless of your sector or industry (from FMCG, through education and healthcare, to heavy industries)?

This event aims to cater for businesses across all sectors, as it’s designed to equip companies of all sizes with the essentials that they need to know when engaging with Chinese counterparties, or working on their international development strategy.

What you’ll take away

In addition to the practical insightful information, inspiring case studies, and opportunity to get your questions answered, qualifying businesses who attend the event can request free access to the YIMOOC online learning platform for business.

YIMOOC will help transform your understanding of China’s innovative e-commerce & New Retail ecosystems, through short modules featuring leading industry experts from China.

There will be also an ample time for discussions and networking following the event, with opportunity to hold 1-2-1 meetings with the China market specialists from NatWest, DIT and ACOLINK.

Speakers

Find out more about our speakers:

• Keith Jackson (Brandon Medical)
• John Jenkinson (DIT)
• Allison Joynson (Northumberland County Council)
• Kevin Tokell (NatWest)
• Anita Zhang (ACOLINK)

Keith Jackson, CEO, Brandon Medical

Keith Jackson is CEO of Brandon Medical, a British SME that designs, manufactures and installs innovative medical equipment that can be found in operating theatres and clinics throughout the World. The Company’s stunning export fuelled growth was recognised in 2018 by a Queen’s Award for International Trade.

Keith began his career as a design engineer at Jaguar Cars and now has more than twenty-five years of experience in the medical sector in a wide range of senior roles, including international business development. For 7 years he was CEO of JRI Orthopaedics Ltd, a British company delivering innovative, high quality orthopaedic solutions. He led JRI to become a multi-award winning SME with a more contemporary product portfolio and he spearheaded international expansion, breaking into Australia, Brazil and Japan winning multi-million pound contracts. He forged a strategic partnership in Beijing to access the huge Chinese market.

He is a Chartered Mechanical Engineer, a Chartered Director and a 2016 IoD UK Director of the Year. In addition to his leadership roles on various boards, Keith is also a Visiting Professor at the University of Sheffield.

Keith will talk about his experience of doing business with China.

John Jenkinson, International Trade and Development, DIT

John Jenkinson is an international trade and development specialist. He works with companies to develop their domestic and international strategy and achieve their business objectives.

John graduated from Newcastle University with honours in Linguistics and Chinese. Originally working in IT and consultancy roles, John moved on to spend time studying and working in China. He now draws upon both his international and advisory experience to provide companies with the knowledge and support they need to succeed.

In his capacity as an adviser for the Department for International Trade, John has organised international trade missions on behalf of the UK Government, and led UK delegations in global markets. He has represented UK products at some of the largest international trade shows in the world and contributes to online media, publications and training events on the subject of how to ’win’ at trade fairs and international exhibitions.

John will talk about business support and available funding, he will be available for 1-2-1 meetings.

Allison Joynson, Director of Transformation, NHS

Allison is a clinician with extensive international experience in large, complex organisations in the not-for-profit, academic and private sectors. She has a wealth of experience in strategic and operational management including health service redesign and implementation; service development, expansion, and turnaround; business development and consulting project management.

Allison is currently responsible for the leadership, management and direction of the international commercial business for Northumberland County Council and Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. Previously, she was also Interim CEO of Arch, The Northumberland Development Company.

Allison is currently supporting a range of international activities including the development of options appraisal, feasibility and clinical models for an 800 bed general hospital with cancer centre of excellence in China to increase access, quality and efficiency of healthcare for population of 8m; supporting the development of new care models for 19 hospitals and 73 polyclinics in China to increase capacity and quality of healthcare for 60m population; and developing clinical models and schedules of accommodation with requirements including equipment and staffing for a new acute international hospital in Dubai.

Kevin Tokell, International Trade Director, NatWest

Kevin will talk about export finance and international trade support. Kevin and his team will be available for 1-2-1 meetings.

Anita Zhang, CEO of ACOLINK

Anita works with a broad range of businesses, organisations, as well as governments in both China and the UK on international trade solutions, strategy formulation, and business development. With a background in multi-cultural marketing & international sales, more than 15 years’ experience in international business development, and owing to her extensive business networks, Anita co-founded ACOLINK in 2015. She leads ACOLINK’s LetsDoChina.org initiative, and is also a IoD Young Committee Member, a board member of the Henan Business Association, and the Secretary General of Zhengzhou Food and Drug Supervision Association.

Through her hands-on approach focused on delivery, Anita is always up-to-date with her practical knowledge and has acute understanding of the Chinese market. She’s is constantly in touch with the clients, delivery teams, and partners – from buyers, distributors, category managers, to industry leaders and policy makers – gaining unparalleled understanding of what approach is best to ensure success. She’s always out there to support and help businesses overcome challenges, devise sustainable growth strategies, being instrumental to forging sustainable partnerships with leading private and public sector organisations.

Anita will be sharing the latest market insights and updates, cultural nuances, and practical solutions. She will be available for 1-2-1 meetings.

Organisers

This event is brought to you by ACOLINK, in association with:

• NatWest
• Department for International Trade (DIT) and Exporting is GREAT programme
• China International Electronic Commerce Centre (CIECC)

Media and Enquiries

We’re always on the lookout for mutually beneficial opportunities, partnerships, ambassadors, and supporters. Please contact us if you’d like to support our events, or you’d like to co-organise an event in your region/country.

For media enquiries please contact us on media.

We reserve the right to alter the arrangements as described due to unforeseen circumstances.

We want to make sure committed businesses have the opportunity to participate — we give the priority to businesses that genuinely seek support on their export journey, therefore, we reserve the right to decline registration from certain intermediaries, consultants, advisors, brokers, etc. at our discretion.

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General Event Terms and Conditions